Axle-shaping machine.



No. 690,709. Patented Ian. 7, I902.

v a. A. ENSIGN.

AXLE SHAPING MACHINE.

(Application med Apr. 9, 1901. (N0 Mqdal.) 9 Sheets-Sheet I.

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INVENTOR} I Bfmye 15769 ATTORN No. 690,709. -.Patqnted Ian. 7, I902.

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No. 090,709. Paifcented Ian. 7, 1902.

' 0. A. ENSIGN/ AXLE SHAPING MACHINE.

(Applicafibu filpd Apr. 9, 1901.)

(No Model.) 9 Sh9et9-8heat 9.

WITNESSES IN VENTOH THE NORRIS Pzrsn; coy. moyoumou WASHINQTOM, D. c,

No. 690,709. Patented Jan. 7, I902.

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AXLE SHAPING MACHINE.

Ap lication filed A s. 9, 1901. (No Model.)

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WITNESSES NVENTOH A TIOBN m: mums FEYERS co. wnmp'umou WASHINGTON mo.

Patented Ian-[7,1902 G.'A. ENSIGN.

' AXLE SHAPING MACHINE (No Model.)

(Application filed Apr. 9,1'1991'.)

9' Sheets-Sheet 5.

IHITIHIH [N VENT'OR A TTOR 8 1-10.. WASHINGT Patented Ian. 7, I902.

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G. A. ENSIGN. AXLE SHAPING MACHINE.

(Applicatidn med Apr. 9, 1901.

(No Model.)

11v VENTOH WITNESSES ye ail 1151 r2 Patented Ian. 7, I902. 1 G. A. ENSlGN. AXLE SHAPING MACHINE.

' (Applicfition med Apr. 9,1901.

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T S PETERS CO PHOTO LITHO WASHINGTON l7 0 Patented Ian. 7, I902.

e. A; mm. AXLE SHAPING MACHINE.

(Application filed Apr. 9, 1901.)

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(No ModqlJ wmvzssks INYENTO/r G602- Evil? 12st 72' BY j j Ai'TOflNEY No. 690,709. Patented lan. 7, I902;

' G. A. ENSIGN. AXLE SHAPING MACHINE. (Applicatiozg filed Apr. 9. 1901.)

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(No'ModeL) Uv VENTOH WITNESSES:

"96 Arro figrs UN ITED STATES- PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE A. ENSIGN, OF DEFIANOE, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE DEFIANCE MACHINE WORKS, OF DEFIANCE, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

AXLE-SHAPING MACHINE. 1

SPEGIFECATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 690,709, dated January '7, 1902.

Application filed April 9 1901. Serial No. 55,022. (No model.)

' To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, GEORGE A. ENSIGN, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Defiance, in the county of Defiance and State of Ohio, have invented a new and Improved Axle-Shaping Machine, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

The invention relates to woodworking-machines such as are used for shaping the ends of a wooden axle to fit a metallic skein.

The object of the invention is to provide anew and improved axle-shaping machine, more especially designed for the use of wagon and truck builders, for turning the ends of wooden axles to the proper size and shape and for fitting the interior of either large or'small metallic axle-skeins, the machine being arranged to give the desired gather to the axle ends and to prevent a tendency to twist or spring the bed out of alinement, to insure an uncramped movement of the working parts, and therebyincrease the capacity of the machine and raise the quality of the work.

The invention consists of novel features and parts and combinations of the same, as

will be fully described hereinafter and then pointed out in the claims.

A practical embodiment ofthe invention is represented in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the views.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the improvement. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the'forward end of the improvement, showing the axle-support and the forward end of the cutter-bar. Fig. 3 is a similar view of the central portion of the machine, showing the cut- Sis an enlarged rear elevation of the carriage-feed mechanism. Fig. 9 is a longitudinal sectional elevation of the same. Fig. 10 is a sectional plan view of the same on the line 1O 10 in Fig. 9. Fig. 11 is a transverse section of the same on the line 11 11 in Fig. 8. Fig. 12 is. an enlarged longitudinal sectional elevation of part of the axle-support, the section being on the line 12 12 in Fig' 2. Fig. 13 is a longitudinal sectional elevation of the carriage, the cutter-bar bearing, and the cutter-bar; and Fig. 14 is a plan view 0 the axle.

On the forward end A of a suitably-co nstructed bed A is arranged an axle-support B for carrying a wooden axle O, the rough ends 0 of which are cut and shaped into the desired form by a cutter D, held on the forward end of a cutter-bar E, fulcrumed on a pivot-pin 1, arranged in a carrier F, mounted to turn in bearings G, forming part of a carriage G, held to slide longitudinally on suitable guideways A secured to or formed on -E extends through the carrier F and carries at its rear end a friction-roller E adapted to 80.

travel on the inside of the skein Lheld on a skein-support J, carried by the rear end A of the bed A, the said skein forming the pattern or former for shaping the ends of the axle correspondingly for the ends to accurately fit.

the skein.

The carrier F and the feed mechanism 11 are driven from the main shaft K, (see'Figs.

3 and 5,) journaled in suitable bearings carried on a bracket A attached to the rear of the frame A, and on said shaft K are mount ed to turn loosely pulleys K K of which the pulley K is connected by a belt K with a large pulley on a counter-shaft, (not shown,) and the other pulley K is connected by a belt 5 K with a small pulley on said counter-shaft,- so that when the latter is rotated the pulley K is rotated at a higher rate of speed than the pulley K The pulleys K K are adapted to be engaged by friction-clutches K K connected with each other and mounted to slide on and to turn with the shaft K, a shifting lever K engaging the hub K common to the said clutches K and K, to move either of the latter into frictional engagement with the corresponding pulley K or K to rotate the shaft K at a high rate of speed during the time the cutter D cuts the conical end C of the axle O, or to rotate the shaft K at a low rate of speed during the time the cutter D forms the oblong portion of the axle. WVhen the lever K is in a central position, as shown in Fig. 5, then both clutches K K are out of frictional engagement with their pulleys K K", and the shaft K is now at a standstill.

On the shaft K are secured a bevel gearwheel L, in mesh with a bevel gear-wheel L, secured on the lower end of a vertically-disposed shaft L journaled in suitable bearings carried by the bracket A". On the upper end of the shaft L is secured a bevel-pinion L in mesh with a bevel gear-wheel L fastened on the forward end of a shaft L extending longitudinally at the rear of the bed A and mounted to turn in suitable bearings carried by said bed A. Near the rear end of the shaft L (see Fig. 4) is secured a gear-wheel F, in mesh with an intermediate gear-wheel F meshing with a second intermediate gearwheel F in mesh with a gear-wheel F secured on thecarrier F, so that when the shaft L is rotated said gear-wheels F F F F are rotated to rotate the carrier F, and with it the cutter-bar E, to cause the cutter D to cut the end of the axle and first form the conical portion 0 and then the oblong portion 0 according to the shape of the skein.

On the rear end of the shaft L is secured a pinion H, in mesh with a gear-wheel H secured on the rear end of the feed-screw 1-1 forming part of the feed mechanism H and mounted to turn in suitable bearings carried by the bed A and its bracket A (See Figs. 3 and 4.) The feed-nut H for engaging the feed-screw H is made in two parts pivoted on a pin H journaled in a bracket G attached to the carriage G, (see Figs. .8, 9, 10, and 11,) and the lower projecting ends of said parts are connected with each other bya transverse spring H for normally holding the feed-nut parts out of engagement with the thread on the feed-screw H (See Fig. ll.) The lower ends of the feed-nut parts are formed at their inner opposite faces with bevels H adapted to be engaged by a double wedge O, secured to or formed on the top of a slide 0, mounted to move longitudinally in suitable bearings formed in the bottom plate G of the bracket G and on the said slide 0 is secured a depending pin 0 extending through an elongated slot in the said bottom G to be engaged at the lower end by one end of a spring 0 secured at its other end to a pin on said bot.- tom G to normally hold the slide 0' in a rearmost position, the rear end of the slide resting against a rubber cushion 0 On the depending pin 0 is-mounted to turn loosely a friction-roller 0 adapted to be engaged by eeoyroe an arm 0, secured to the lower end of a shaft 0 extending vertically and journaled in a suitable bearing G attached to the carriage G. On the upper end of the shaft 0 is socured a handle 0 extending across the top of the machine to the front thereof, so as to be within convenient reach of the operator.

When the carriage Gis in a rearmost position and the operator swings the handle 0 from the left to the right, then the shaft 0 is turned, and the arm 0 pressing on the friction-roller O causes the latter, the pin 0 and the slide O to move forward and force the wedge 0 between the bevels H", so that the feed-nut parts of the feed-n ut I1" are actuated to close the feed-nut parts upon the thread of the screw H, and when the latter rotates the feed-nut is moved forward, and with it the bracket G and the carriage G. When the slide 0 is moved forward, upon the operator moving the handle 0 from the left to the right, as above explained, then a grav ity-catch P, fulcrumed at P on the bracket G drops upon a shoulder O on the top of said slide 0 to lock the latter in an outermost position and hold the feed-nut parts in a closed position on the thread of the feed-- screw H The catch P is formed at its forward end with a bevel P adapted to engage a pin P secured on the forward bearing of the feedshaft H so that when the cutter D has finished the oblong portion O of the axle O and the carriage G has moved to a corresponding forward position, then the bevel P engages the pin P and consequently the catch P is swung upward out of engagement with the shoulder 0 so that the spring 0 now immediately draws the slide 0 rearwardly and the double wedge 0 out of engagement with the bevels H for the spring 11 to quickly open the feed-nut parts H and stop 'further forward feeding of the carriage G on a further rotation of the screw-rod H The operator may cause the feed-nut parts to open at any time during the forward travel of the carriage G, and for this purpose the catch P is pivotally connected by a link 1? with a handled lever P fulcrumed on abracket G secured to the carriage G, as indicated in Fig. 4. The lever P extends transversely, and its free end is within reach of the operator, so that when the latter presses the lever P downward, an upward swinging motion is given to the catch P, so as to disengage the latter from the shoulder 0 and allow the spring 0 to draw the slide 0 rearward and release the feed-nut parts, which are now opened by the spring H, as previously mentioned. Thus the carriage may be brought to a standstill at any time during its forward stroke by the operator manipulating the lever P accordingly. In case the feed-nut parts do notopen at the proper time, for any reason Whatever, then the feed-nut parts H are opened by an emergency-bar P, secured to the forward bearing of the feed-screw 1-1 and 7 ward or starting position by the operator at the time the feed-nut H is open, and for this purpose the front of the carriage G is provided with a longitudinally-extending rack Q, in mesh with a pinion Q, (see Fig. 5,) secured on the inner end of a transverse shaft Q journaled in a bearing in the bracket A attached to the bed A. On the other end of the shaft Q is secured a hand-wheel Q adapted to be taken hold of and turned by the operator torun the carriage G backward to a starting position whenever desired.

In order to actuate the shifting lever K for starting the machine by the operator, and in order to automatically shift the double clutch K K from the carriage G to run the machine at a lower rate of speed at the time the cutter D has finished the conical end 0 and has started on the oblong portion 0 the following shifting device is provided, special reference being had to Figs. 1, 3, 5, 6, and 7.

The shifting lever K is pivotally connected within the rear end of a rod R, extending transversely through suitable openings in the bed A to connect at the forward end with a block R, mounted to slide transversely in suitable guideways formed in a bracket A, secured to the front of the bed A. This block R is pivotally connected with a treadle R fulcrumed on thebracket A and adapted to be pressed by the operator to slide the block R into a forward position against the tension of a spring R3, secured at its forward end on a rod R adjustablyheld in the block R. The rear end of the spring R issecured to a second block' R ,'likewise mounted to slide in the guideway of the bracket A in the rear of the block R, and this block R is provided with alongitudinal pin R extending through elongatedslotsin the sides of the guideway of the bracket A', as is plainly shown in Fig. 5, and theouter ends of said pin R are adapted to be engaged by arms S, secured on a shaft S, mounted to turn in suitable bearings carried on the guideway 0f the'bracket A A treadle S is secured on this shaft S and is under the control of the operator, and said treadle is formed with an extension S adapted to rest on a rubber block S carried by the bracket A and serving to limit the upward swinging motion of the treadle S The tops of the blocks R R are formed with shoulders R R respecti'vely adapted to be engaged by dogs T T, loosely fulcrunied on the shaft S, so that when the operator presses the treadles R. and S and causes the blocks R and R to slide in opposite directions, then the dogs T T drop and by their free ends engage the shoulders R R to lock the blocks R R in position against the tension of the spring R as is plainly indicated in Fig. 6. The dogs T T are pivotally connected by upwardlyextending links T T with arms T T secured on longitudinally-extending shafts U U, mounted to turn in suitable bearings carried by brackets A", attached to the bed A.-

On the shafts U U are adj ustably held upwardly-extending arms U U, carrying at their upper ends friction-rollers U U adapted to be engaged by a pin U depending from a bracket U secured to the front of the carriage G, as is plainly illustrated in Figs. 1 and 5. Now, when the carriage G moves forward the depending pin U first comes in contact with the friction-roller U and imparts an outward swinging motion to the arm U to rock the shaft U, and thereby give an upward swinging motion to the arm T to cause the link T to swing the dog T upward out of engagement with the shoulder R and thereby release the block R, which is now pulled inward by the action of the spring R This inward movement of the block R causes the red It to impart a swinging motion to the shifting lever K to move the double clutch out of engagement with the pulley K and into engagement with the pulley K to rotate the shaft'K atalow rate of speed. The arm U is so adjusted on the shaft Uthat the above-described movement takes place at the time the cutter D has finished the conical end (J and starts on the oblong portion 0 of the axle. When the oblong portion of the axle has been finished by the cutter D, then the depending pin U moves in engagement with the friction-roller U to swing the arm U transversely, and thereby rock the shaft U, so that the arm T is swung upward and its link T imparts an upward swinging motion to the dog T to release the block R so that the block R is relieved from the tension of the spring R and the said blocks R R the rod R, the lever K7, and the frictionclutches K K move to acentral position, and the clutches K K are now out of frictional engagementwith the pulleys K K so that the shaft K comes to a'standstill, and with it the working parts of the machine. ther explanation of the described movement of the clutches to central position it may be stated that when the blocks R R are farthest apart, (see Fig. 6,) then the spring R is under full tension, and when the dog Tdisengages from the block R the spring R draws the block R inward to shift the clutches from a one wheel to the other; but the spring R still remains under tension. When the block R is finally released by dog T, then the said block R moves outward and the spring is re lieved of its tension, and consequently the pulley K, since there is nothing to hold-it in frictional contact. The link T is provided with a weight T for holding the dog T se- 1:5 In furcurely in a locked position against the shoulder R of the block R. The ends of the shafts U U are provided with handles U U adapted to be taken hold of by the operator to enable the latter to turn said shafts whenever desired to actuate the shifting lever K and throw the clutches K K in or out of mesh with the pulleys K K The cutter-bar E is pressed on opposite sides by two springs E arranged within the carrier F on opposite sides ofthe pivot-pin E, as is plainly shown in Fig. 13, to allow the cutter-bar to yield according to the movement of the friction-roller E traveling on the inside of the skein I. Rubber blocks or cushions E are held in the carrier opposite the springs E for the cutter-bar to rest on and prevent the cutter-bar from injuring the ends of the carrier.

In order to obtain the desired amount of gather in the ends of the axle C, (see Fig. 14,) the support B is provided with an adjusting device (see Figs. 1 2, and 12) for throwing the axle into the necessary angular position relatively to the longitudinal axis of the machine. The axle O rests on the supportingdisks B B mounted to turn on the upper ends of screw-rods B B", carrying at their lower ends hand-wheels B B, under the control of the operator, for screwing the screw-rods up or down and bringing the supporting-disks B B intoproper position andholding the axle O at the desired height. The top of the axle is engaged at its middle by a disk B loosely held on the lower end of a screw-rod B extending upwardly and working in a bracket attached to the bed A. Said rod is provided with the hand-wheel B for use in rotating it for the purpose of clamping the axle firmly. The sides of the axle 0 forward of the disk B are engaged by clamps V V, mounted to slide transversely on a guideway V secured to the top of the bed A. The clamps V V are engaged by right and left hand threads of a screw-rod V mounted to turn in suitable bearings on the ends of the guideway V and on the outer end of said rod is arranged a hand-wheel V under the control of the operator, for turning the said screw-rod and simultaneously moving the clamps V V against the sides of the axle G or away from the same when it is desired to release the axle. The

sides of the axle immediately forward of the disk 13' are engaged by similar clamps W W, mounted to slide transversely on guideways W mounted to slide transversely on a bed or guideway (V held longitudinally adjustable on guideways A forming part of or being secured to the end A of the bed A. Theclamps W W are engaged by the right and left hand threads of a screw-rod W mounted to turn in bearings arranged in the ends of the guideway W and on the outer end of the said screw-rod W is secured a hand-wheel W adapted to be turned by the operator to move the clamps W W in engagement with the sides of the axle (J or to move the same away from the said sides when it is desired to release the axle. On the guideway VV are formed spaced lugs W", between which is mounted to travel a friction -roller X, (see Fig. 12,) journaled on a pin X, secured on the end of an arm X which is formed with a lengthwise groove, forming a guideway for an armX The latter has a lateral pin X, journaled in bearings attached to the adjustable guideway W By adj listing-i. 6., sliding-the arm X on the arm X the frictionroller X is moved out of alinement with the pin X and when any desired adjustment has thus been made the two arms X and X are clamped together by means of a bolt X, that passes through them. The arm X is then turned or swung in a vertical plane into the position shown in Fig. 2, so that the friction-roller X in acting on the lugs W imparts a transverse sliding motion to the guideway W so that the clamps W W and the screw-rod W are moved in the samedirection and with them the rear end of the axle. In other words, the angle of the axis of the work with reference to the cutter is changed at will. It is expressly understood that this amount of gather for throwing the end of the axle out of alinement depends on the amount of adjustment between the arms X X and it is evident that by adjusting said arms any desired amount of gather may be given to the axle ends.

In order to bring the axle into proper longitudinal position previous to clamping the same in position by the disk B on the disks B B a gage Y is provided, pivoted on a frame Y,adj ustably held on one of the guideways A. This gage Y is swung over upon the top of the axle O, and the'latter is adjusted longitudinally previously to clamping the same in place until the marked middle of the axle coincides with the point of the gage Y. The skein-support J (shown in the drawings) is of ordinary construction, and hence further description of the same is not deemed necessary.

The operation is as follows: Then the axle O has been placed in proper position and secured in place on the support 13 and the carriage G has been moved into a rearmost starting position, then the operator presses the treadles R S to slide the blocks R R in opposite directions and lock the same in place by the dogs T T. The outward movement of the block R causes a pull on the rod B, so that the lever K is swung to throw the clutch K in engagement with the high-speed pulley K, so that the shaft K is now rotated and with it the shaft L which in turn drives the screw-shaft H and the carrier F. The operator now swings the lever O to the right, so that the feed-nut H closes and the feedscrew H and the carriage G now begin to move forward. The rotary motion of the carrier F carries the cutter-bar E around, and as the friction-roller E travels on the inner surface of the skein I as a pattern the said cutter-bar is swung correspondingly on the pivot E and the cutter D to a standstill.

cuts the end of the axle to the shape of the skein.

vice, so that the speed of the shafts Kand L cutter D. When the oblong portion 0 is finished, the nut partsH automatically release the feed-screw H as previously explained, and at the same time the arm U engages the friction-roller U to release the dog R and cause the friction-clutch to-assnme its normal or central position. The shaft K now'comes The operatornow returns the carriage G to a starting position by turning the hand-wheel Q and then releases the axle andremoves the same from the support B, after which the handled arm X is swung over to the other side, and then the axle is-replaced on the support, with the untrimmed end next to the cutter D. The axle is now locked in place on the support,and the above-described operation is repeated. It is understood that in order to obtain an even amount of gather in both ends of the axle it is necessary to throw the handled arm X over, so that the axle assumes the proper position relatively to the'longitudinal axis of the machine, aswill be readily understood by reference to Fig. 14.

Having thus fully described my-invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. An axle-shaping machine havinga revoluble carrier carrying a cutter-bar, a carriage,

' a feed mechanism for feeding the carriage, a

luble carrier carrying a cutter-bar, acarriage in which the carrier ismounted to turn, a feed mechanism for feeding the carriage forward, adriving-gear for said feed mechanism and said carrier, and m'eans for controlling said driving-gear, to automatically change the speed of the carriage and that of the carrier from a high speed to a low speed during the forward travel of the carriage, as set forth.

3. An axle-shaping machine having a revo: luble carrier carrying a cutter-bar, a carriage in which the carrier is mounted to turn, a feed mechanism for feeding the carriage forward, a driving-gear for said feed mechanism and said carrier, andmeans for controlling said driving-gear, to automatically change the speed of the carriage and that of the car rier from a high speed to a low speed during theforwardtravel of the carriage, said means being actuated from said carriage, as set forth. I

When the cutter D reachesthe end of the conical portion 0 then the arm U acts on the friction-roller U to shift the clutch de-' 4. An axle-shaping machine havinga revo luble carrier carryinga cutter-bar, a carriage in which the carrier is mounted to turn, a feed mechanism for feeding the carriage forward,

' a driving-gear for said feed mechanism and said carrier, and means for controlling said driving-gear, to automatically change the speed of the carriage and that of the carrier from a-high speed to a low speed during the forward travel of the carriage, said means being also under the control of; the operator, as

set forth. g

'5. An axle-shaping machine, comprising a carriage mounted to slide, a carrier mounted to turn in said carriage, a feed-screw for said carriage, a shaftg'eared with said feed-screw and said carrier, and a driving mechanism for said shaft, to rotate the latter at dilferent speeds during the travel of the carriage in one direction, said driving mechanism comprising a drive-shaftgeared with said firstmentioned shaft, pulleys loose on the said drive-shaft and driven at different speeds, a double clutch mounted'totnrnwith and to slide on said drive-shaft and adapted to engage eitherof said pulleys, and means controlled by said carriage, to automatically shift the said double clutch and move it'out of engagement with the high-speed pulley, and to move it in engagement with the low-speed pulley during the forward travel of the earriage, as set forth.

6. 'An axle-shaping machine, comprisinga carriage mounted to slide, a carrier mounted to turn in said carriage, a feed-screw for said carriage, a shaft geared with said feed-screw and said carrier, and a driving mechanism for said shaft, to rotate the latter at difierent speeds during the travel of the carriage in one direction, said driving mechanism comprising a drive-shaft geared with said firstmentioned shaft, pulleys loose on the said drive-shaft and driven at different speeds, a double clutch mounted to turn with and to slide on said drive-shaft and adapted to engage either of said pulleys, and means controlled by said carriage, to automatically shift the said double clutch and move it out of engagement with the high-speed pulley, and to move it in engagement with the low-speed pulley during the forward travel of the carriage, said means also serving to shift the double clutch to a central inactive position when the carriage reaches the end of its stroke, as set forth. V,

7. A Woodworking-machine having arcarriage mounted to slide, a driven feed-screw,

a feed-nut made in two parts held on a pivot carried by said carriage, a spring for normally holding the feed-nut parts open out-of engagement with the feed-screw, a slide. on the carriage and under the control of the'oporator, the slide carrying a wedge for engaging bevels on said feed-nut parts, to close the latter onto said feed-screw, a shaft journaled on said carriage, and having a handleunder the control of the operator, and an arm for engaging and shifting the said slide, as set forth.

8. A woodworking-machine having a carriage mounted to slide, a driven feed-screw, a feed-nut made in two parts held on apivot carried bysaid carriage, aspringfornormally holding the feed-nut parts open out of engagement with the feed-screw, a slide on the carriage and under the control of the operator, the slide carrying a wedge for engaging bevels on said feed-nut parts, to close thelatter onto said feed-screw, a spring connected with said slide, means for moving said slide against the tension of said spring, and acatch adapted to engage said slide and lock it in place against the tension of the spring, as set forth.

9. A woodworking-machine having a carriage mounted to slide, a driven feed-screw, a feed-nut made in two parts held on a pivot carried by said carriage, a spring for normally holding the feed-nut parts open out of engagement with the feed-screw, a slide on the carriage and under the control of the operator, the slide carrying a wedge for engaging bevels on said feed-nut parts, to close the latter onto said feed-screw, a springconnected with said slide, means for moving said slide against the tension oi said spring, a catch adapted to engage said slide and lock it in place against the tension of the spring, and means for automatically throwing the catch out of engagement with the slide at the time the carriage reaches the end of its forward stroke, as set forth.

10. A woodworking-machine having a carriage mounted to slide, a driven feed-screw, a feed-nut made in two parts held on a pivot carried by said carriage, a spring for normally holding the feed-nut parts open out of engagementvwith the feed-screw, a slide on the carriage and under the control of the operator, the slide carrying a wedge for engaging bevels on said feed-nut parts, to close the latter onto said feed-screw, a spring connected with said slide, means for moving said slide against the tension of said spring, a catch adapted to engage said slide and lock it in place against the tension of the spring, and means connected with said catch and under the control of the operator and moving with said carriage, to enable the operator to throw the catch out of engagement with the slide at any time during the forward movement of the carriage, as set forth.

11. A machine of the class described having a screw-feed for a carriage, and comprising a feed-screw, a two-part feed-nut on the carriage, a spring for normally holding the parts of the nut open, a device for holding the nut in a closed position on the feed-screw, means for unlocking the said device, to allow the nut to open, and an auxiliary or emergency device for opening the nuts directly in case the spring failsto operate, as set forth.

12. In an axle-shaping machine, the combination, with a suitable horizontal bed, a 1'0- tary cutter, and means for operating it, of axle-holding devices, comprising clamps for securing-the axle near one end, and the means described for securing and shifting the outer end of the axle, for varying the angle of its axis to that of the said cutter, such means consisting of a bed fixed on the foundationbed transversely thereof, a guideway adapted to slide on said transverse bed in the direction of the length of the latter, two vertical clamps arranged on said guideway and means for adjusting them toward or from each other as required; means for shifting the guideway consisting of a crank having a fixed pivot, and a bar slidable on said crank lengthwise thereof, and having a pivotal engagement with the aforesaid guideway; and means for clamping the crank and bar in any required adjustment; substantially as shown and described.

13. An axle-shaping machine having a pair of clamps, a screw-rod for moving the clamps toward or from each other, a guideway for the clamps to slide on, a bed for the guidewayto slide in a transverse direction, and means for shifting said guideway in said bed, said means comprising two arms adjustable one on the other, and adapted to be fastened together, one of the arms being fulcrumed on the bed and the other on the guideway, as setforth.

14. An axle-shaping machine havinga pair of clamps, a screw-rod for moving the clamps toward or from each other, a guideway for the clamps to slide on, a bed for the guideway to slide in a transverse direction, and means for shifting said guideway in said bed, said means comprising two arms slidable one on the other and adapted to be fastened together, a pin on one arm and journaled in said bed, and a friction-roller on the other arm and extending between lugs on the guide- Way, as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

GEO. A. ENSIGN.

.X Vitnesses:

GEo. W. DEATRICK, JOSEPH BAUER. 

